Back / lumbar spine decisions — 2020

The Veteran's TDIU claim for the period of June 23, 2008 to February 4, 2011 was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements. For the period of February 4, 2011 to August 12, 2013, TDIU was granted due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The issues of entitlement to a low back disability, an increased rating for somatic symptom disorder, and TDIU are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder, low back, and left knee disabilities. The claims for epididymitis and testicular pain, right shoulder disability, right knee disability, and gastrointestinal disability (to include irritable bowel syndrome) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and left-sided sciatica, as well as his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The issues are being remanded due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for a low back disorder and tinnitus was granted. The claim for PTSD is denied as the symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's low back disorder and tinnitus are remanded for further examination and opinion, while his PTSD rating after January 7, 2019 remains remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's lower back injury, including his service connection claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected patellofemoral syndrome/chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease of the left and right knees, as well as instability of the right knee, and low back disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to new evidence not considered in the previous rating decision. The Veteran's left shoulder strain and lumbar herniated disc with intervertebral disc disorder are currently rated at 20 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The Board has granted a higher initial rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and thoracic scoliosis, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not incurred in or caused by his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for his claimed right and left knee disorders, as well as a lower back disorder, all of which he contends are secondary to his service-connected left hip disorder. The Board found that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to insufficient evidence for her claims of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, evaluation for allergic rhinitis, and rating for low back disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the issues have been dismissed.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disability and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral leg disability, now claimed as residuals of frostbite.,Further examination or evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, finding no probative evidence that the disability began during service or is otherwise related to service. The claim is denied.,The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral leg disability, now claimed as residuals of frostbite, due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence, including his Reserve service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's thoracic back disability is causally related to his active duty service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal as his claim was already decided and final, and he withdrew his claim for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for lumbosacral spine disability and hypertension, as well as his claim for TDIU, have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 20 percent for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 6, 2014 for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance was granted. This aligns with the date he received service connection for seizures.